The average EU pig price remained relatively stable between mid-December and the end of February 2013, fluctuating around €170 per 100kg, according to BPEX.
This contrasts with the normal seasonal pattern when prices fall sharply after Christmas before recovering during February. In 2013, prices fell only marginally in January but increases in February were also modest.
Ongoing tight supplies helped to prevent a sharper decline in prices but reports of subdued demand, particularly from export markets, are keeping a lid on prices for the time being.
Nevertheless, prices have remained above 2012 levels, although the gap has narrowed from over €20 per 100kg in mid-January to around €10 at the end of February.
Although the average price across Europe has remained stable, some Member States have recorded increases in recent weeks. Over the four weeks of February, prices increased by over €8 in Spain and €6 in France and Poland.
In contrast, Danish prices were flat during the month while Italy joined the UK in recording falling prices. In euro terms, the fall in the UK reference price was exacerbated by the weakening pound so the gap between the UK price and the EU average fell from around €20 per 100kg at the turn of the year to just €2 at the end of February. When the prices get as close as this, UK prices usually start increasing.
This contrasts with the normal seasonal pattern when prices fall sharply after Christmas before recovering during February. In 2013, prices fell only marginally in January but increases in February were also modest.
Ongoing tight supplies helped to prevent a sharper decline in prices but reports of subdued demand, particularly from export markets, are keeping a lid on prices for the time being.
Nevertheless, prices have remained above 2012 levels, although the gap has narrowed from over €20 per 100kg in mid-January to around €10 at the end of February.
Although the average price across Europe has remained stable, some Member States have recorded increases in recent weeks. Over the four weeks of February, prices increased by over €8 in Spain and €6 in France and Poland.
In contrast, Danish prices were flat during the month while Italy joined the UK in recording falling prices. In euro terms, the fall in the UK reference price was exacerbated by the weakening pound so the gap between the UK price and the EU average fell from around €20 per 100kg at the turn of the year to just €2 at the end of February. When the prices get as close as this, UK prices usually start increasing.
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